TORONTO — Exit meetings with coaches, medicals, handshakes and a team picture did not quite mean the season is done for a few Maple Leafs.

Though there isn’t the pressure of past non-playoff years to participate in the world championship to further professional development, a few are mulling the option to play in Paris and Cologne in coming days, while others are grateful to rest some late-season injuries.

Laughing that this NHL campaign left him with a face only a mother could love, sporting so many nicks and cuts, Morgan Rielly said he was ready for more, if his country calls. He’s played at the world juniors, the last world championship and got an early start last September as part of the World Cup young guns.

“One of my personal friends (Bayne Pettinger) who works for Team Canada, I called yesterday, we got caught up and he planted the seed,” Rielly said. “But I don’t know. For sure (Rielly is interested). Wearing that jersey is the best feeling in the world. You take some pride in it, you enjoy it. But I haven’t been asked.”

Rielly said the high-ankle sprain he suffered at mid-season was not a factor down the stretch. Another defenceman, Nikita Zaitsev, will not be playing for Russia, even though he was cleared to return from his concussion for Games 3 through 6 of the Washington series. He’s also reportedly on the verge of signing a seven-year contract.

“He’s playoff ready, but he needs time (off),” head coach Mike Babcock said of Zaitsev. “Because we’ve been given the opportunity (to influence him), he won’t play at the worlds, he needs to get 100% healthy. You go through our whole group, we have some banged-up guys. He played in the world championships, in the World Cup and all year for us – more hockey than he’s ever played. He needs to get freshened up. He has a big year (coming).”

A frustrated Zaitsev said it took until Game 5 or 6 against Washington to be at the level he expected of himself. He was hurt by hit in Game 82 against Columbus.

“The first game back especially was so tough,” Zaitsev said. “I was ready for the playoffs and then this happens, but it’s a good lesson for me. I’d never had a concussion in my life so this was the key I think (to fast recovery).”

Babcock said his young forwards had plenty of energy at the end of the season, but it remains to be seen if Mitch Marner and William Nylander get invited for Canada and Sweden, respectively. Auston Matthews, whose life has been a whirl since the 2016 worlds, during which the Leafs won the draft lottery, is sitting out this one. He also came through the World Cup, 82 NHL games, a possible Calder Trophy season and six playoff games in which he scored in the last four straight.

“We met with Auston and made that decision,” Babcock said. “Auston is no different than Zaitsev. It’s been a long year, so do whatever you have to do to be set up (for camp). When it’s beneficial to go and you can help your (country) that’s important. Matthews and Zaitsev have always stepped up for their countries so I don’t think that’s an issue, but this time they both feel (rest) is the best option for them.

“(For Matthews), get home, enjoy your mom and dad, get healthy and get to work. When you look at our roster, we have a lot of guys who need to put some meat on their bones and some guys who need to get quicker and lighter. So we have lots of work to do.”

Centre Tyler Bozak, who turned 31 last month, owned up to a late-season back injury that he said made it hard to get out of bed some days. He skipped a few morning skates and practices and while on the bench sat on a custom cushion to relieve the pressure of leaning too much on his skates.

“Luckily I didn’t have to miss any games and our training staff did a great job getting me ready,” Bozak said. “It was a battle. I honestly don’t know what it was. Sometimes my back acts up and you can’t get up, but you come in, get it worked on.

“Everyone had bumps and bruises, but I don’t think anyone had the torn ACL or MCL that I heard about in San Jose (Joe Thornton), which is incredible. Once you get out there, you don’t feel the pain. You start playing and the adrenalin kicks in.”

POLAK POKES FUN AT INJURY

Roman Polak lost his season — but not his sense of humour — to a broken leg.

Making it through the Leafs dressing room on crutches with his right leg in a cast on Tuesday, he plopped into a seat and made the assembled crowd chuckle by announcing his “lower-body injury” so as not to alert the opposition, as per playoff code. He was hit in Game 2 by the Caps’ Brooks Orpik on a daring rush the stay-at-home defenceman isn’t exactly known for.

“(Orpik) texted me after. It’s just his job, not like he wanted to injure me. I should have told him it was totally my fault, I should’ve just stuck to my job, dump the puck and go change, don’t try anything crazy.”

It was a gruesome injury to watch as the airborne Polak’s right skate dug in upon landing and twisted his leg under the weight of his body.

“(Therapist Paul Ayotte) jumped on the ice and right away, I told him it was broken. Any surgery is basically bad timing, after playing 82 games and then getting injured, it’s always tough. What do you do? It’s part of hockey.”

Polak watched Games 3 and 4 from hospital.

“I was on the heavy drugs so I was watching it, but I don’t remember much, just saw the score. It’s getting better every day, I talked to the doctors and they were very happy with the results. I should be good for opening game.”

Polak, however, is a UFA soon and might not be back.

“Not a question for me, ask (management),” he said. “But I’d love to (return). I love the city, the team and the fans. Everything came together. I think it’s just the beginning.”

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